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Head-to-head · Salon Payroll Software

SalonApp vs Spa/Salon Manager

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 8 checks side by side
Higher score SalonApp #1 in Salon Payroll Software 9.4/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 6 of 6 features Visit SalonApp
Spa/Salon Manager #2 in Salon Payroll Software 9.3/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 6 features Visit Spa/Salon

SalonApp leads on 2 checks, Spa/Salon Manager on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 8 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSalonApp · 9.4/10
  • Lowest starting priceSalonApp · $39/mo
  • Free planonly SalonApp
  • Free trialboth
  • Most featuresSalonApp · 6 of 6

SalonApp scores higher on our rubric for salon payroll software: 9.4 against 9.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

SalonApp offers free plan; Spa/Salon Manager doesn't. SalonApp is cheaper to start at $39/mo against $74/mo.

SalonApp is the better fit for salons needing complete payroll and operations. Spa/Salon Manager is the better fit for established salons needing detailed payroll calculations.

  • SalonApp fits best

    Salons needing complete payroll and operations

  • Spa/Salon Manager fits best

    Established salons needing detailed payroll calculations

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Side by side

Feature SalonApp 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Spa/Salon Manager 9.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.3
Ranking #1 in Salon Payroll Software #2 in Salon Payroll Software
Best for Salons needing complete payroll and operations Established salons needing detailed payroll calculations
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $39/mo (best) $74/mo
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial 14 days 30 days
Free trial length 14 days · no card needed 30 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Email, Phone, Live chat Phone, Docs
Integrations 4 integrations 1 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market
Features SalonApp 6/6 · Spa/Salon Manager 4/6
Commission tracking ✓ ✓
Tip calculation ✓ ✓
Contractor payments ✓ ✓
Tax filing ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Payroll reports ✓ ✓
Direct deposit ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • US and Canadian payroll with tax tables, reports, and direct deposits
  • Commission tracking supports configurable service and retail rules
  • Web, iOS, and Android access with QuickBooks and Xero integrations
  • Supports wages, commissions, taxes, deductions, and four pay methods
  • Handles W-2, W-3, 1099 forms and payroll checks
  • Combines payroll with booking, point of sale, inventory, and time tracking
Cons
  • The Free plan is limited to 15 clients, 20 appointments, and 1 staff member
  • Multi-location support and custom integrations are limited to Enterprise
  • Payroll management appears in the Professional tier rather than Starter
  • Starting price is $74 per month with no free plan
  • Entry plans limit terminals to one
  • QuickBooks is the listed accounting integration
Our verdict

SalonApp, branded on its current site as Salon Manager, is cloud-based software for independent stylists, growing salons, spas, and multi-location operators. It brings appointment scheduling, online booking, point of sale, client profiles,…

Read the review →

Spa/Salon Manager combines salon and spa management with payroll, appointments, point of sale, inventory, client records, and employee time tracking. It is designed for established salons that need to calculate taxes, deductions, wages,…

Read the review →
  1. SalonAppSalon Payroll Software 9.4Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. Spa/Salon ManagerSalon Payroll Software 9.330-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • SalonApp — where it wins

    • US and Canadian payroll with tax tables, reports, and direct deposits
    • Commission tracking supports configurable service and retail rules
    • Web, iOS, and Android access with QuickBooks and Xero integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • The Free plan is limited to 15 clients, 20 appointments, and 1 staff member
    • Multi-location support and custom integrations are limited to Enterprise
    • Payroll management appears in the Professional tier rather than Starter

  • Spa/Salon Manager — where it wins

    • Supports wages, commissions, taxes, deductions, and four pay methods
    • Handles W-2, W-3, 1099 forms and payroll checks
    • Combines payroll with booking, point of sale, inventory, and time tracking

    Where it doesn't

    • Starting price is $74 per month with no free plan
    • Entry plans limit terminals to one
    • QuickBooks is the listed accounting integration
  • SalonApp9.4/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A broad salon operations suite with payroll, commissions, and multi-location options.

    Visit SalonAppFull verdict →
  • Spa/Salon Manager9.3/10 · 30-day trial

    Detailed salon payroll with scheduling, point of sale, and employee management.

    Visit Spa/SalonFull verdict →

More comparisons

All salon payroll software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update